Dana Wright, well known historian, describes work of Mound Builders there. Burial mound, huge stone ring are found. Relics of Past ages found on top of Melby Hill near Lake Juanita.
The remains of what was evidently an old Indian ceremonial ground, on Melby Hill southwest of Grace City was the subject of a feature article published in the Sunday Forgo Forum by Dana Wright of St. John, North Dakota.
An Indian mound about 40 feet in diameter, connected with a broad, low embankment that runs about 100 feet to the northwest; and a large stone circle adjoining it were discovered there
These are shown in Mr. Wright's map. The insert at the upper right corner of the map shows a rock with a crude picture carved on its side. Mr. Wright found the rock west of Lake Juanita.
A Tribal Monument?
Mr. Wright is a member of the parks committee of the North Dakota Historical Society and for years has been active in research into the state's early history.
He had not tried to explain the meaning of the Grace City mound. It must have required a great deal of toil to build it, with little engineering knowledge and only the crudest implements, he says.
The mound builders may have commemorated some great tribal victory with services on the elaborate shrine. The stone circle, with its break for an entrance, admitted attendants at some sacred ritual performed on the mound. Perhaps the work was a tribute to the great hero, an unknown soldier of the dim past.
Traces of First Whites
Mr. Wright believes that not only the remains of Indians or early mound builders are available, but also evidence of early white travelers and explorers. He mentioned the first railroad survey, headed by Governor Stevens, passing through the territory in 1853
Captain Fisk and his Montana gold seekers following a similar train in 1862 and 1863
Joe Belland, the trapper who built a cabin on the west shore of Lake Juanita in 1866 where later he was succeeded by Larrabee, who kept a road house or stage station at the lower end of the lake.
Hill 100 feet High
Melby Hill, the hill examined by Mr. Wright, is described as a conspicuous butte whose highest point is about 100 feet above the prairie. To the north and east it-'slopes gently toward the valley of the James River, a mile or two away.
"The people who toiled on Melby Hill, " Mr. Wright said, "constructed two types of lasting memorials. The most conspicuous is an earthwork on the highest point of the hill. It consists of a mound about 40 feet in diameter at the base and three or four feet high running away to the northwest is a broad low embankment nearly 100 feet in length. On the mound and the embankment are loose stones, which have probably been displaced from their original positions by careless people who have a curiosity to 'dig up an Indian' and mutilate signs and remains that might be significant to an archaeologist. Several holes have been dug in the ground and vicinity and human bones removed.
Settler with Age
"The earth in the mound has settled with the ages till it is hard as the prairie about it. It is grass grown and solid, and of great age; nearby are a number of old unidentified depressions, resembling graves.
"Connected to the earth mound is a curious arrangement of stones so located that from the air it might look like a bubble on a clay pipe. The 'bubble' is about 150 feet in diameter and consists of a circle of stones set in the ground, similar to the smaller rings on the prairie which are commonly called 'tipi rings.'
Stones are Sunken
The stones which form the 'bubble' are of various sizes but all small enough so they could be readily handled. They vary from 10 to 100 pounds in weight and have sunk deep into the ground from the work of ants below and dust settling above. Some of the stones are almost below the surface of the prairie. They are slightly out of line so do not form a perfect circle but they are within a foot or two of each other and can be readily traced from the starting point at the mound and back to the point of beginning.
Curious Break
There is a curious break at the southeast part of the 'bubble'. The break of about six feet would form an entrance, for two parallel lines of stones start away from the big circle or bubble. They do not extend far but the lines can be recognized by the most casual observer. The whole 'bubble' lies on a gentle slope to the south and is well preserved in the sod of the prairie and has been little disturbed.
Curious people dug into what may have been burials or graves inside the line of stones, but many depressions are still there awaiting careful study.
Many Remains Untouched
"Fortunately for the student of North Dakota history, many of these old remains are located on high hills, and on rough ground not easily cultivated and many an interesting remains may still be identified and preserved. On a rough chain of hills just west of Lake Belland (Juanita) a crude picture has been found carved on a prairie boulder, probably there are other such monuments unnoticed and unidentified on our prairies."
First to call attention of the state historical society to the remains in Foster county was Mrs. Adeline Potter, Grace City. She assisted Mr. Wright in the survey.
Similar Remains Common
Similar remains may be found in several other sections of the state. Mr. Wright said. "Melby hill is near a point in the river where a series of broad shallow pools, devoid of timber, was enough to attract the primitive people. To the east at Red Willow Lake, and along the timbered reaches of the Sheyenne, numerous mounds and other earthworks may be found. They are common about Stump and Devils Lake and about Hawks Nest, but are rare at points far from timber.
"The North Dakota historical society is attempting to co-operate in identifying the remains. Any community close to historical sites may place the title in the state and receive its protection and limited financial support. A local committee in each case, may render valuable service to the state by caring for those interesting sites linking the 20th century with the past.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 396